From left, Hon. Eric Shinseki, Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs, retired Sgt. Claude Quick of Florence, and Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients Brian Thacker (center) and Harold Fritz (far right). Fritz’ son is also pictured next to his father. Quick was invited to attend the Veterans Day National Ceremony on Nov. 11, where he learned that he and Shinseki had been aboard the same ship to Vietnam in 1965.
Photo Special to The Dispatch by Jen Armstrong

Retired Sgt. Claude Quick and retired Captain Claude “Keyes” Hudson during the Veterans Day National Ceremony on Nov. 11, 2013, where Quick learned that a fellow soldier from his unit killed in combat was the friend and roommate of Hudson and Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs Eric Shinseki.
Photo Special to The Dispatch by Jen Armstrong

Young and eager to serve his country in 1965, retired Sgt. Claude Quick set off aboard a ship to Vietnam unaware of how the events that would unfold would change his life and the lives of the men he served alongside.

While serving as a medical aidman attached to a rifle company on a search and destroy mission on May 19, 1966, then-Specialist Five Quick and his company encountered intense enemy fire. Although among the wounded, Quick was credited with saving several lives that day, aiding other injured soldiers while disregarding his own safety. But some did not survive, and among the men within his company who lost their lives during the attack was Lt. Gary Kadetz.

“In the jungle you can’t hear very well, so we used arm and hand signals,” Quick recalled. “He was standing near an officer giving out signals, and a bullet hit him in the chest and killed him dead.”

Kadetz was among the men Quick attempted to save that day, and although the initial paperwork required for the citation was misplaced, in 2004, Quick was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism that May day in Vietnam. He is also the recipient of multiple additional awards and medals, including the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, and Bronze Star with V-device, making him the most-decorated Vietnam veteran in Oneida County.

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While in Connecticut three years ago, Quick met retired Army Captain Claude “Keyes” Hudson, commander of the Legion of Valor. Quick serves as a member of the board of directors for the organization, which began in 1890 as a Medal of Honor Society. Later, the Crosses were added making it the Legion of Valor of the United State of America. The Medal of Honor is awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty. The Three Crosses are awarded for extraordinary heroism.

“We were having breakfast and he asked about my service,” Quick said. “I told him I was with the 25th division and was wounded on May 19. He said he had a friend that was killed that day.”

That friend was Kadetz, who had been a member of Hudson’s class at West Point.

Another journey this year revealed yet another connection when Quick traveled to Arlington National Cemetery for the 60th annual Veterans Day National Ceremony on Nov. 11.

“There was a ceremony where the president and secretary of Veterans Affairs spoke, and a reception followed,” Quick recalled. “We were all visiting and in walked Mr. Shinseki.”

The Honorable Eric Shinseki was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2008 as secretary of Veterans Affairs and sworn in on Jan. 21, 2009. The retired Army general also served in Vietnam and attended West Point.

Kadetz, Shinseki, and Hudson had been not only been friends, but roommates at West Point.

“He asked me what happened that day and I began to share the story with him,” Quick remarked. “It was very emotional for all of us.”

Quick said Kadetz was remembered by all as a great guy, who had been a lineman on the football team and was great at math, aiding Shinseki with his math courses.

As the conversation continued, Quick also learned that he and Shinseki had crossed paths many years before.

“We went to Vietnam on the same day in the same boat -- the USS Walker -- and didn’t know it,” Quick said. “We were among hundreds of guys on board, and when we docked I went south with my unit and he went north with his.”

Quick said his experience during the Veterans Day National Ceremony will long be remembered. “It was certainly something to find ourselves in the same place at the same time all these years later,” he remarked. “There were a lot a memories to share.”

Quick was asked to serve as honorary grand marshal along with all Vietnam veterans at the 2011 Honor America Days parade in Rome. Today, he resides in Florence.

About the Author

No two days are the same in the life of a journalist, I career I have found immensely fulfilling and inspiring. I have been a lifelong resident of central New York where I plan to remain and raise my daughter Lilah, and continue to uncover the stories of the people, places, and events that make it such a special place to live. It’s said that everyone has a story, and it has been my privilege to bring those stories to light. Reach the author at greenbrook2@hotmail.com
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